The head of the Los Alamos National Laboratory is assuring Santa Fe leaders that the lab will remain a strong force in the region as it looks to hire about 2,000 people in the next four years.The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Director Charlie McMillan told leaders Thursday about plans to hire 600 to 700 scientists, 400 support technicians and 1,400 people to fill jobs in its business services and operations sectors. The employees will replace those who are retiring in the next four years.McMillan says recruitment efforts have already begun.The employment plan comes after the lab failed to get a renewed contract with Los Alamos National Security to manage the facility because of performance issues. The contract will go out to bid after 2017.

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. —

The head of the Los Alamos National Laboratory is assuring Santa Fe leaders that the lab will remain a strong force in the region as it looks to hire about 2,000 people in the next four years.

The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Director Charlie McMillan told leaders Thursday about plans to hire 600 to 700 scientists, 400 support technicians and 1,400 people to fill jobs in its business services and operations sectors. The employees will replace those who are retiring in the next four years.

McMillan says recruitment efforts have already begun.

The employment plan comes after the lab failed to get a renewed contract with Los Alamos National Security to manage the facility because of performance issues. The contract will go out to bid after 2017.